Solon: Check safety measures after Ateneo cagers’ drowning

MANILA, Philippines — Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legaspi is filing a resolution seeking a congressional probe into the drowning incident that claimed the lives of two members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team.

“In light of these events, I will be filing a House Resolution urging the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the adequacy of existing policies, safety standards, and accountability mechanisms governing school-sponsored athletic programs, with the end in view of strengthening the protection and welfare of student-athletes,” Legazpi said.

The lawmaker had earlier called for a check of the safety measures implemented for student-athletes after the incident that happened in Aurora Province.

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In a statement on Tuesday, Legazpi said that the incident is a reminder that while there is a need to push student-athletes towards discipline and resilience, institutions need to have the “highest  standards of safety, care, and accountability.”

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According to Legazpi, if such incidents happen to prestigious educational institutions, then all the more should lawmakers check whether safety measures in other schools and universities are sufficient.

“This tragedy reminds us that while sports cultivate discipline, resilience, and excellence, institutions entrusted with the development of young athletes must likewise be held to the highest standards of safety, care, and accountability,” he said.

“The goal is not merely to determine the circumstances of this particular tragedy, but to ensure that no other family has to endure the same loss. If this tragedy can happen in one of the country’s most respected educational institutions, then it is incumbent upon us to examine whether sufficient protections exist for student-athletes nationwide,” he added.

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Legazpi’s office confirmed to reporters later on that the lawmaker will be filing a resolution seeking a congressional probe into the matter.

On Monday, Ateneo announced the passing of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, after drowning during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

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Baterbonia, 19, recently played in the Palarong Pambansa finals two weeks ago and committed to the Blue Eagles program. He was last year’s Palarong Pambansa most valuable player after leading Davao to a championship.

The 21-year-old Adili, on the other hand, is a Nigerian foreign student athlete who played in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament last year.

“The entire Ateneo community mourns the loss of Rene and Divine. The University extends its heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones. We ask the community to keep them in their prayers during this most difficult time,” Ateneo wrote in a statement.

“The University is providing support to the families of Rene and Divine, as well as to their teammates and members of the Ateneo community affected by this tragedy.”

According to an initial report from the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO 3), Baterbonia and Adili “were swimming when they were reportedly carried by a strong current into deeper waters.”

Police said an investigation is underway.

“Based on initial reports, personnel of the Dipaculao Municipal Police Station immediately responded upon receiving information regarding the incident and coordinated with concerned agencies to provide the necessary assistance. The victims were promptly transported to a medical facility; however, they were later declared dead by the attending physician,” the statement read.

“PRO 3 assures the public that it will continue to diligently perform its mandate, conduct a thorough investigation, and coordinate with concerned agencies to ensure that all aspects of the incident are properly addressed.”

Legazpi offered his condolences to the bereaved families, saying that authorities owe it to the two athletes to ensure that “meaningful reforms” are implemented.

“These young athletes had promising futures ahead of them. Beyond their talents on the court, they were sons, students, teammates, and individuals whose lives were filled with potential. Their untimely passing is a heartbreaking loss not only to their families and school, but also to Philippine sports,” he said.

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“We owe it to Divine and Rene, and to every young Filipino athlete, to learn from this loss and pursue meaningful reforms,” he added. /mr /atm